scholarly journals Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy for suspected and confirmed sepsis of patients in a surgical-trauma ICU: a prospective, two-period cross-over, interventional study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rispah Chomba ◽  
Maeyane Steve Moeng ◽  
Warren Lowman
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Antibiotic Treatment ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Surgical Trauma ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Antibiotic Duration

Abstract Background: Biomarkers like procalcitonin (PCT) are an important antimicrobial stewardship tool for critically ill patients. The purpose of our study was to compare a procalcitonin guided antibiotic algorithm to standard antibiotic treatment in surgical trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).Methods: A prospective, two period cross-over study was conducted in a surgical trauma intensive care unit in South Africa. In the first period, 40 patients were recruited into the control group and antibiotics were discontinued as per standard of care. In the second period, 40 patients were recruited into the procalcitonin group and antibiotics were discontinued if the PCT decreased by ≥ 80% from the peak PCT level, or to an absolute value of less than 0.5 µg/L. Antibiotic duration of treatment was the primary outcome. Patients were followed up for 28 days from the first sepsis event.Results: For the first sepsis event the PCT group had a mean antibiotic duration of 9.3 days while the control group had a mean duration of 10.9 days (p=0.10). Patients in the intervention group had more antibiotic free days alive (mean 7.7±6.57 days) compared to the control group ﴾mean 3.8±5.22 days, (p=0.004﴿. The length of ICU stay and length of hospital stay for the two groups were similar. The in-hospital mortality was reduced in the intervention group (15%) compared to the control group (30%).Conclusion: There was no significant difference in duration of antibiotic treatment between the two groups. However, the PCT group had more antibiotic free days alive and lower in-hospital mortality compared to the control group.Trial registration: Pan African clinical trial registry, PACTR201909715467725, date of registration: 20.9.2019; retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/Search.aspx

scholarly journals Safety and efficacy of routine diagnostic test reduction interventions in patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-34
Author(s):  
Katherine P Hooper ◽  
Matthew H Anstey ◽  
Edward Litton
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Significant Difference

Reducing unnecessary routine diagnostic testing has been identified as a strategy to curb wasteful healthcare. However, the safety and efficacy of targeted diagnostic testing strategies are uncertain. The aim of this study was to systematically review interventions designed to reduce pathology and chest radiograph testing in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). A predetermined protocol and search strategy included OVID MEDLINE, OVID EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception until 20 November 2019. Eligible publications included interventional studies of patients admitted to an ICU. There were no language restrictions. The primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and test reduction. Key secondary outcomes included ICU mortality, length of stay, costs and adverse events. This systematic review analysed 26 studies (with more than 44,00 patients) reporting an intervention to reduce one or more diagnostic tests. No studies were at low risk of bias. In-hospital mortality, reported in seven studies, was not significantly different in the post-implementation group (829 of 9815 patients, 8.4%) compared with the pre-intervention group (1007 of 9848 patients, 10.2%), (relative risk 0.89, 95% confidence intervals 0.79 to 1.01, P = 0.06, I2 39%). Of the 18 studies reporting a difference in testing rates, all reported a decrease associated with targeted testing (range 6%–72%), with 14 (82%) studies reporting >20% reduction in one or more tests. Studies of ICU targeted test interventions are generally of low quality. The majority report substantial decreases in testing without evidence of a significant difference in hospital mortality.

scholarly journals The effect of rosemary ointment on the pressure ulcer healing in patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A randomized clinical trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Khoshoei Parizi ◽  
Tabandeh Sadeghi ◽  
Shahin Heidari
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Pressure Ulcer ◽  
Ulcer Healing ◽  
Pressure Ulcers ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference

Background & Aim: Pressure ulcers have been identified as one of the most important and challenging issues in patient’s well-being. Based on the evidence, rosemary extract compounds can affect wound healing. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rosemary ointment on pressure ulcer healing in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods & Materials: In this single-blind randomized parallel clinical trial, 70 patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected purposefully and assigned to the groups by stratified randomization method. In the intervention group, rosemary ointment was applied once a day for seven days. The control group received routine care. Data were collected using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing before the intervention and on the third and seventh days after the intervention. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, chi-square test, and two-way repeated measurements ANOVA with SPSS 18 software. Results: The mean scores of Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing decreased significantly in the intervention group while remained unchanged in the control group (P=0.001) one week after the intervention. The effect of time and interaction effect was also significant (P=0.001). Comparison of the ratio of complete ulcer healing in the two groups showed a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.004). Conclusion: Rosemary ointment facilitated healing and prevented the progression of grade І pressure ulcers in the Intensive Care Unit. Therefore, the use of this ointment as a low-risk, uncomplicated, available, and inexpensive intervention, is recommended in such patients.

scholarly journals Comparison of Intravenous Enoxaparin with Subcutaneous Enoxaparin in Preventing Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Unit

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoum Khoshfetrat ◽  
Majid Khorram ◽  
Aliakbar Keykha ◽  
Hossein Ansari
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Active Factor ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Subcutaneous Enoxaparin

Background: The use of subcutaneous enoxaparin is a usual method for preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the intensive care unit (ICU) patients, but adequate absorption of the drug is not reliable due to the illness intensity, existing edema and hypoperfusion in these patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of intravenous enoxaparin with subcutaneous enoxaparin to prevent VTE in ICU patients. Methods: The current double-blind Randomized clinical trial was performed on 64 patients admitted to the ICU at Khatam- Al- Anbia Hospital in Zahedan, southeast of Iran. The patients were randomly assigned into each of the subcutaneous enoxaparin and the intravenous enoxaparin groups. The blood sampling was performed aseptically and then active factor Xa level was measured. Next, the intervention group received 0.5 mg/kg of intravenous enoxaparin for 10 days and the control group was injected subcutaneously the same dosage of drug. Four hours after the first injection and 12 hours after the last injection on the tenth day, the factor Xa level and the frequency of VTE incidence was measured again. Results: In all three measurement times, the active factor Xa level in the intravenous enoxaparin group was lower than that of the subcutaneous group, but no significant difference was observed between the two groups and different times (P> 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the use of intravenous enoxaparin is an effective way to prevent the VTE development in the ICU patients.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATING EFFECT OF NURSING INTERVENTIONS, BASED ON WELLS SCORE RESULTS, ON THE INCIDENCE OF DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS IN PATIENTS ADMITTED TO THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Morteza Habibi Moghadam ◽  
Marzieh Asadizaker ◽  
Simin Jahani ◽  
Elham Maraghi ◽  
Hakimeh Saadatifar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nursing Interventions ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Wells Score ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
Pitting Edema

 Objective: Venous thromboembolism, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a common complaint in critically ill patients. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of nursing interventions, based on the Wells results, on the incidence of DVT in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.Methods: The present clinical trial was conducted on 72 ICU patients without DVT and PE who met the inclusion criteria according to Wells score in Dr. Ganjavian Hospital, Dezful in 2012. The participants were investigated and randomly divided into intervention (n=36) and control groups (n=36). The intervention group received preventive nursing measures based on the risk level determined by the Wells score, and routine therapeutic interventions were performed for the control group. Then, patients were evaluated using Wells score, D-dimer testing, and Doppler sonography on the 1st, 5th, and 10th days. Data were finally coded and entered into SPSS version 23. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Mann–Whitney U tests.Results: The incidence of DVT in both groups showed that 2 patients of the control group who were identified to be at risk using the Wells score were diagnosed with DVT while none of the patients of the intervention group experienced DVT. The present study showed that 22.2% of the patients of the control group suffered from non-pitting edema, which was significantly different from the intervention group (p=0.005).Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that using the Wells score for early identification of the at-risk patients and nursing interventions based on this score’s results is helpful in the prevention of DVT. Appropriate nursing interventions were also effective in reducing the incidence of non-pitting edema in the lower extremities.

Abstract TP329: Early Initiation of Oral Antihypertensives Reduces Intensive Care Unit Stay and Hospital Cost in Patients With Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhu Zhu ◽  
Matthew Bower ◽  
Sara Stern-Nezer ◽  
Steven Atallah ◽  
Dana Stradling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Resource Utilization ◽  
Hospital Cost ◽  
Early Initiation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose: Intravenous nicardipine infusion is effective for intensive blood pressure (BP) control in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, its use requires close hemodynamic monitoring in the intensive care unit (ICU). Prompt transition from nicardipine infusion to oral antihypertensives may reduce ICU length of stay (LOS). This study aimed to examine the effect of early verse late initiation of oral antihypertensives on hospital resource utilization in patients with hypertensive ICH. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with hypertensive ICH and initial systolic BP ≥ 180 mmHg from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2017. Only patients who received nicardipine infusion were included. Based on timing of receiving oral antihypertensives within or after 24 hours of emergency department arrival, patients were divided into study or control group, respectively. Baseline characteristics, duration of nicardipine infusion, ICU and hospital LOS, functional outcome at hospital discharge, and the cost were compared between the 2 groups using univariate and multivariate analysis to adjust for dependent variables. Results: A total of 166 patients (90 in study group, 76 in control group) were identified. There was no significant difference in demographic features, past medical history or initial SBP between the 2 groups. Patients in study group had lower initial NIHSS and ICH scores but higher GCS score than those in the control group. Using multivariant regression analysisto adjust for initial SBP, NIHSS, GCS and ICH scores, early initiation of oral antihypertensives was associated with significant shorter ICU LOS (median 2 vs 5, p =0.004), decreased duration of nicardipine infusion (55.5 ±60.1 vs 121.6 ±141.3, P =0.002), less pharmaceutical cost (median $14207 vs $ 29299, p =0.007) and total hospital cost (median $ 24564 vs $ 47366, p =0.007). After adjustment of confounders, there was also no significant difference in functional independence (mRS 0-2, 42.2% vs 17.1%, p =0.112) or mortality (6.7% vs 13.2%, p = 0.789) between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Early initiation of oral antihypertensive therapy is associated with reduced resource utilization and hospital cost in patients with hypertensive ICH.

Improving Family Communications at the End of Life: Implications for Length of Stay in the Intensive Care Unit and Resource Use

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 317-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Ahrens ◽  
Valerie Yancey ◽  
Marin Kollef
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Resource Utilization ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Clinical Nurse Specialist ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nurse Specialist ◽  
Clinical Nurse

• Background Inadequate communication persists between healthcare professionals and patients and patients’ families in intensive care units. Unwanted or ineffective treatments can occur when patients’ goals of care are unknown or not honored, increasing costs and care. Having the primary physician provide medical information and then having a physician and clinical nurse specialist team improve opportunities for patients and their families to process that information could improve the situation. This model has not been tested for its effect on patients’ outcomes and resource utilization.• Objectives To evaluate the effect of a communication team that included a physician and a clinical nurse specialist on length of stay and costs for patients near the end of life in the intensive care unit.• Methods During a 1-year period, patients judged to be at high risk for death (N = 151) were divided into 2 groups: 43 patients who were cared for by the medical director teamed with a clinical nurse specialist and 108 patients who received standard care, provided by an attending physician.• Results Compared with the control group, patients in the intervention group had significantly shorter stays in both the intensive care unit (6.1 vs 9.5 days) and the hospital (11.3 vs 16.4 days) and had lower fixed ($15 559 vs $24 080) and variable ($5087 vs $8035) costs.• Conclusions Use of a physician and a clinical nurse specialist focused on improving communication with patients and patients’ families reduced lengths of stay and resource utilization.

Effect of Pressure Injury Prevention Guides Used In a Pediatric Intensive Care

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-255
Author(s):  
Gülzade Uysal ◽  
Duygu Sönmez Düzkaya ◽  
Tülay Yakut ◽  
Gülçin Bozkurt
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Injury Prevention ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Pediatric Intensive Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pressure Injury ◽  
Pressure Injury Prevention

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a pressure injury prevention guide used in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) on the occurrence of pressure injuries. The design is a pre-post intervention with a control group and a prospective intervention group. Pressure injuries occurred on 9.4% of children in the nontreatment group, and in 3.6% of children in the treatment group. There was a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of pressure injuries between the nontreatment group and the treatment group ( p = .033). The average Braden Q pressure injury score was 12.20 ± 2.280 at the beginning of the intensive care hospitalization, and 13.73 ± 3.312 at discharge in the treatment group ( p < .001). The results show that the risk of pressure injuries was reduced and pressure injuries occurred later when an evidence-based pressure injury prevention guide was used.

Cerebral Oximetry Monitoring to Maintain Normal Cerebral Oxygen Saturation during High-risk Cardiac Surgery

2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 826-836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Deschamps ◽  
Richard Hall ◽  
Hilary Grocott ◽  
C. David Mazer ◽  
Peter T. Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Perioperative Outcomes ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cerebral Oxygen ◽  
Cerebral Desaturation ◽  
Cerebral Saturation

Abstract Background Cerebral oxygen desaturation during cardiac surgery has been associated with adverse perioperative outcomes. Before a large multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the impact of preventing desaturations on perioperative outcomes, the authors undertook a randomized prospective, parallel-arm, multicenter feasibility RCT to determine whether an intervention algorithm could prevent desaturations. Methods Eight Canadian sites randomized 201 patients between April 2012 and October 2013. The primary outcome was the success rate of reversing cerebral desaturations below 10% relative to baseline in the intervention group. Anesthesiologists were blinded to the cerebral saturation values in the control group. Intensive care unit personnel were blinded to cerebral saturation values for both groups. Secondary outcomes included the area under the curve of cerebral desaturation load, enrolment rates, and a 30-day follow-up for adverse events. Results Cerebral desaturations occurred in 71 (70%) of the 102 intervention group patients and 56 (57%) of the 99 control group patients (P = 0.04). Reversal was successful in 69 (97%) of the intervention group patients. The mean cerebral desaturation load (SD) in the operating room was smaller for intervention group patients compared with control group patients (104 [217] %.min vs. 398 [869] %.min, mean difference, −294; 95% CI, −562 to −26; P = 0.03). This was also true in the intensive care unit (P = 0.02). There were no differences in adverse events between the groups. Conclusions Study sites were successful in reversal of desaturation, patient recruitment, randomization, and follow-up in cardiac surgery, supporting the feasibility of conducting a large multicenter RCT.

scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF SUCTION ABOVE CUFF ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE (SACETT) IN PREVENTING VENTILATOR ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA IN CRITICAL PATIENTS IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 380-389
Author(s):  
Arfiyan Sukmadi ◽  
Rr Sri Endang Pujiastuti ◽  
Aris Santjaka ◽  
Supriyadi Supriyadi
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Endotracheal Tube ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia ◽  
Mechanical Ventilator ◽  
Control Group Design ◽  
Bacterial Development ◽  
Critical Patients

Background: The mechanical ventilator is an indispensable breathing tool in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). But the mechanical ventilator is associated with the risk of Ventilator Associated Penumonia (VAP). VAP occurs due to poor hygiene of the endotracheal tube (ETT). ETT hygiene should be maintained to inhibit bacterial development in the lungs using suction above cuff endotracheal tube (SACETT) to prevent VAP.Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of SACETT in preventing Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) in critical patients in the ICU.Methods: This was a quasy experimental study with posttest only with control group design with 15 samples in intervention group (SACETT and Chlorhexidine 0.2%) and 15 in control group (ETT, Open Suction, and Chlorhexidine 0.2%) with purposive technique sampling. The Simplified Clnical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) was used to measure VAP.Results: This study illustrates that there was no VAP incidence in the intervention group, and as much as 13.3% VAP in the control group. SACETT was more effective in preventing VAP than in standard ETT on day 4 (p = 0.001).Conclusion: SACETT is more effective in preventing VAP than standard ETT in the fourth day in patients with neurological, cardiovascular, urinary, digestive, and immune system disorders.

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